Kudos to Rupert Murdoch
Occasionally the headlines are good. I never thought I’d type the words in this post title. But, he cancelled the upcoming O.J. book and television interview. And, he apologized to the family. I still think Judith Regan is below pond scum for agreeing to publish what she called “O.J.’s confession.” I’ll definitely be checking the publisher info when I’m next buying books.
Update: Well, apparently I was way too optimistic about Mr. Murdoch. This only happened after the victims’ families turned down millions to keep quiet. However, it remains good news that so many people were outraged and acted accordingly. As Dawn notes, we Americans, as a group, are tacky. (Example: The tourist gimcrack and t-shirt shops that totally surround the entrance to the Gettysburg cemetery.) Yet, we aren’t so incredibly and stupidly tacky as to flock to fund O.J.’s golf habit. He probably needs a new pair of gloves by now, too.
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November 20th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
No Kidding!
Do you think good ol’ Rupert would have appologized if it appeared as if he stood to make money on the deal? Was his appology sincere? Without our collective repulsion do you think he would have backed off?
I guess we’ll never know.
November 21st, 2006 at 8:14 am
Well, of course Mr. Murdoch loves money. But, I’d like to think that even he had a moment of moral clarity. Some things are just beyond the pale (or should be).
Poor ol’ O.J. I read somewhere about his whining re money. He only makes a couple hundred grand these days and is having to play on - gasp - public golf courses. The people I truly feel for are his kids. And, I think my family holidays can be tense and sad!
November 21st, 2006 at 9:44 am
I am confused… Murdoch was in support of the project prior to all the public outlash. No? Great to see his ethics pull through at the last minute. But if ethics were present from the start, I don’t think Murdoch would have ever agreed to this project months ago. I cannot call Murdoch a hero. Just someone trying to save face at the very last moment.
November 21st, 2006 at 2:20 pm
Amir,
I’d not go so far as to call Murdoch a “hero” and he’s certainly no paragon of virtue. But, he could have let the O.J. thing continue on - he’s no wuss when it comes to weathering controversy.
So, yes, I give him a “kudo” Who knows? Maybe if we collectively encourage more ethical behavior (and speak out for it) - we’ll get it, even from those who seemingly have a chokehold on power.
November 21st, 2006 at 4:44 pm
And, no Bruce, I don’t think Mr. Murdoch give a good fig or frack about our repulsion. He after all is the same guy who owns Fox News and did a fundraiser for Hilary Clinton. A good way to get everybody all riled up and repulsed!